Friday Five Interview: Sean McDowell
January 21, 2011Today it’s an honor to interview Sean McDowell, a guy I have admired for some time. He’s the son of Josh McDowell, whose life and ministry has inspired thousands of seekers to come to faith in Christ. Sean is an educator, a thoughtful writer, and a speaker. Sean is a reknowned apologist, having written several books on Christian worldview. His latest is Is God Just a Human Invention? He is a popular conference speaker, Sean has spoken for organizations including Focus on the Family,Campus Crusade for Christ, Youth Specialties, Fellow of Christian Athletesand the Association of Christian Schools International. Sean is head of the…
Continue ReadingReflecting on Dr. King
January 17, 2011I’m hoping today Americans will take time to reflect deeply on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I must confess that I knew very little of Dr. King growing up in the (largely) white suburbs of Chicago. Living in the Midwest, we strongly resisted racism. Our Christian faith pushed us to love everyone and see no such thing as color. My family always held all races in high regard and for that I’m deeply grateful. Nevertheless, I lived in isolation from racial struggles. The only discussions on race consisted of assuming “they should just get over…
Continue ReadingFriday Five Interview – Terry Whalin
January 14, 2011If you’re a writer, editor, book publisher, agent or anyone associated with publishing, it’s likely you know my friend, Terry Whalin.W. Terry Whalin understands both sides of the editorial desk–as an editor and a writer. He worked as an editor for Decision and In Other Words. His magazine articles have appeared in more than 50 publications including Writer’s Digest, The Writer and Christianity Today. He is the creator and webmaster for Right-Writing.com. Terry has written more than 60 nonfiction books and his latest is Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams, Insider Secrets to SKYROCKET Your Success. (WTW Press). Another recent book is Running On Ice: The Overcoming Faith of Vonetta…
Continue Reading6 Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Technology
January 13, 2011photo © 2008 Valerie Everett | more info (via: Wylio) Those of us who live and work and move around in this connected society are constantly grappling with a healthy balance when it comes to managing our use of technology. On the one hand, we want to harness new and emerging tools to enhance our God-given life purpose and on the other hand, we don’t want to be enslaved. For every person, that fine line is in a different place. There is no set holy list that determines who is a crazed tech junkie and who has their gadgets perfectly…
Continue ReadingReflections on Tucson and What it Might Mean
January 11, 2011Like everyone else, I was shocked and stunned to hear of the shocking massacre in Tucson on Saturday, a clear assassination attempt on a gifted public servant, Gabriella Giffords, their Democratic Congresswoman. Typically, as in every national tragedy, the media began it’s typical feeding frenzy, wondering what this story meant, what it said about our culture. I don’t really fault the media, because shock often leaves people searching for answers. People want someone or something to blame, because we want to push a button and fix it. But I’m not sure this story is a statement on our country. Many on the…
Continue ReadingFriday Five – Ron Edmondson
January 7, 2011One of the steepest learning curves for a young person is in the area of leadership. Whether you’re in ministry, in management, customer service or any job, inevitably you’re managing people. And while you may have exceptional skills in one particular field, chances are, you can use some wisdom on leadership. At least I know I do. That’s why I try to read books and articles, attend workshops, and consult with leaders. One of the more popular leadership guys online is Ron Edmondson. What’s great about Ron is that he has wide experience both in the business world and in…
Continue ReadingFour Ways to Move Ahead in 2011
December 27, 2010Yesterday at Gages Lake Bible Church, I preached my last sermons of 2010. Like I always do at this time of year, I reflected on the past year, but also urged the congregation (and myself, of course), to move forward. Can’t change a thing about 2010, but we can determine, in many ways, the success of 2011. I closed with these four points on moving forward:
Continue ReadingSome Great Christmas Articles
December 23, 2010As you reflect on the meaning of Christmas this year: Tim Jeske on the link between Bethlehem and Calvary Mark Galli wonders why Mary was favored and what it means for us. Chuck Colsen says not to ignore the Kingdom references in the announcement of Christ’s birth John Ortberg reminds us that the birth of Christ means Jesus shows up in the common places. Trevin Wax compares Ceasar’s Palace and Christ’s manger
Continue ReadingWhy I Get Excited on Christmas
December 23, 2010Are you excited, yet, about Christmas? Can you feel the anticipation? Okay, so many of you are busy, harried, and hurried. And maybe a few of you are upset about the “commercialization of Christmas.” But, for what it’s worth, I love this time of year. Yes, I know that much of it is consumed with shopping and stuff. But, isn’t it awesome that the entire world stops and focuses on the story of the incarnation? Okay, maybe most people aren’t thinking of the theology or even the baby, but the fact that this holiday is here because of the birth…
Continue ReadingWin a Free Autographed Copy of iFaith
December 21, 2010Interested in a free autographed copy of iFaith? I’m going to give 5 free copies away, but with a few conditions: 1) You must first download the free first chapter of iFaith here and then comment on this blog post that has the free chapter. 2) Agree to write a review on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com and Christianbook.com. Also, post a review on your blog (a blog that must be a regularly updated blog) and send at least two links to your review from your social networks (Facebook/Twitter, preferrably). 3) You can’t be blogger that I’ve already contacted or is…
Continue ReadingHung Up on Santa
December 20, 2010Today I read Jon Acuff’s usual great mix of humor and wisdom in his post on the Santa Dilemma that usually affects Christians at Christmas. It got me thinking about our often misguided thinking on Christmas. I as fortunate enough to grow up in a Christian home that didn’t get all freaked out by Santa and the Easter Bunny. My parents were practical. They figured that Santa was harmless and that there was no lasting faith damage to having their kids love an adorable fat read bearded guy. Just like Mickey Mouse, the Hardy Boys, and other “pretend” was okay.…
Continue ReadingiFaith – Chapter 2 -Urgent Emails – The Prayer of the Desperate
December 20, 2010I plan on posting key quotes from my upcoming release, iFaith, all the way through into January. Here are a few quotes from Chapter Two. Somewhere along the line, a famous preacher or best-selling author told us that if we “just trust in Jesus,” or if we “just give enough money,” or if we “just attend church faithfully,” or if we just “follow the rules,” then life will automatically get so much better. There are even whole books and sermons available that teach “the right kind of prayer” that triggers the blessings from heaven. But what happens when you follow…
Continue ReadingFriday Five Interview: Sally Lloyd Jones
December 17, 2010She is the author of (in my opinion) the best Children’s story Bible on the market, The Jesus Bible Storybook. You can read my review of this here. Sally Llloyd Jones is a British children’s book writer based in the United States. Sally was born in Uganda and was raised in East and West Africa. She has written numerous children’s books including, The Ultimate Guide to Christmas, How to Get Married, and Baby’s Hug-a-Bible. Sally has graciously taken time to be interviewed for my weekly Friday Five. 1) Share your journey—how did you find your calling as a children’s book…
Continue ReadingDownload Sample Chapter of iFaith
December 15, 2010New Hope Publishers graciously allowed me to post a sample first chapter of my latest release, iFaith, Connecting to God in the 21st Century. This first chapter includes the table of contents, introduction, and first chapter. Hopefully it will give you an idea of the purpose of the book and whet your appetite for more: iFaith Sample
Continue ReadingPublisher’s Weekly Review of iFaith
December 13, 2010If you’re an author, you know that Publisher’s Weekly is the Holy Grail of book publications, the go-to guide for anyone in the industry. Getting a review in Pub Weekly is often as elusive as getting an interview on Oprah or reaching the NYT bestseller list. Which explains my shock to see iFaith reviewed today on Publisher’s Weekly’s website! I’m honored. Here is what they said: iFaith: Connecting with God in the 21st Century Daniel Darling, New Hope (STL, dist.), $12.99 trade paper (160p) ISBN 978-1-59669-294-7 Appealing to teens and young adults, especially when writing about religion, takes more than…
Continue ReadingThe Theology of Waiting – iFaith – Chapter Two
December 13, 2010Every Monday, for the next several weeks, I am posting a quote from my forthcoming book, iFaith, Connecting to God in the 21st Century. Today, a quote from the first chapter, entitled, “A History of Waiting.” Nearly 50 times the Scripture implores us to wait because waiting is the DNA of faith. The root Hebrew word might imply “waiting with eager expectation.”2 In other words, believing, against the odds, that God will be faithful to His promise. This is a waiting that includes more than merely sitting idly by. It means holding on to your integrity, your values, your faith…
Continue ReadingWhat Are We Singing?
December 9, 2010This is a quote from my message for Sunday, “What the Angels Saw.” – From Luke 2: Christmas is an interesting time, because it is the time when suddenly the entire world is singing songs about the birth of Christ—and yet they don’t know it. You often walk into a supermarket or drugstore and you hear the words of Hark, the Herald Angels Sing piped in. Or O, Holy Night. And you see people mouthing, even singing along with the words. And you wonder—do these people know about what they are singing? Artists of all stripe come out with Christmas…
Continue ReadingR. Kent Hughes on the Incarnation
December 9, 2010Ran across this powerful quote by R. Kent Hughes on the incarnation: As a real baby in the cradle he watched his tiny clenched fist in uncomprehending fascination, just like any other baby. He did not feign babyhood. He did not say to himself, “You all think I am a pre-articulate baby discovering I have a hand. Actually, I am God admiring my brilliant invention. I am your Creator, and I understand every word you are saying.” Not at all. He was not pretending. This was not a post-natal spoof. He was a baby! Preaching the Word – Preaching the…
Continue ReadingHow I Preach
December 8, 2010Two and a half years ago, my wife and I moved to Gages Lake Bible Church, where I was called as the Senior Pastor. This was my first time doing any major preaching, though I had graduated with a degree in pastoral ministry and had spoken in church and in Sunday School and small group settings periodically. So, obviously, preaching every single week was a new thing for me. It was a new thing I enjoyed immensely and still enjoy. There is nothing as invigorating, humbling, and wonderful as the mysterious calling to preach. I love the study, love the…
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